Thursday 11 October 2018

France, Dives Sur Mer, 2018

As with the last trip to France, this is also practically another return trip, as we have been to Houlgate which is just around the corner, many times. So again Me, Dot, Ralph and Amber are off to France for another weeks holliday, second one this year.

There was a change for this trip, we were going with Airbnb and staying in an apartment and all for about the same price as using campsites. The cost of the whole holliday was about the same as the one earlier in the year and again we were using the tunnel to get to France.

Sat 18th Aug to Sat 25th of Aug

Day One, Saturday 18th August


As with the last few trips to France we were going overnight, so we actually set off at about one in the morning. Off to pick up Ralph first, then off to get Amber, then onto the tunnel and onto the train before eight.

In France all was going well (except for missing a change of motorway and having to double back), until we got to the two crossings over the river Seine. Going our way the road was blocked with traffic hardly moving, we made the decision to turn off and head for the other crossing further up river. It didn't take long at all and it was very quiet that way and I had been wanting to see the Pont de Tancarville for some time.

Pont de Tancarville, (1959)

We were still early, so we drove along the coast from Deauville towards Houlgate but we still arrived in Port Guillaume too soon. We Rang the owners from Airbnb but as they were away, we got a French woman that spoke no English at all and decided we would just wait until we were due. We drove off to the supermarket and got some food and things (beer) for the first couple of days, then went for a drink on the marina, until the time was right.

Our Apartment

At four o'clock we got in to our apartment (see above), we parked below and went up in the lift with all our gear and it was very nice. We got settled in, blew up the new air bed we had for Ralph and then had a couple of beers on the balcony. We had fantastic views from the room looking over the marina one way and out to sea the other way.

Lifeboat Arrival at our apartment

Pretty soon it was seven, and I started a BBQ for tea, not bad with the views we had, then when it started to get dark, we went in and watched a film on Ralph's big iPad.

Me and Ralph

Day Two, Sunday 19th August

Today was our forty sixth wedding anniversary.

It was early afternoon when we set off for a walk to Cabourg, we left by the other side of the apartments along the river La Dives to the footbridge, then over to the sea front.

Footbridge over La Dives

La Dives The Sea Front

After a long walk along the seafront, we wandered into town, had a beer then walked a bit further and had another one, it was our anniversary. In town it was very busy but it was a Sunday and I think everyone was out for a walk in the sun.

Time for a drink 

Drinks

We took our time wandering back towards the apartment and stopped on the footbridge to watch the jet skiers coming in. There was even a girl using jet boots, or at least learning how to do it.

Walking back to the apartment Fun

From there we eventually wandered off to the bars close to our place, were we eventually went for a pizza and a beer.

Then it was back to the apartment and watched another film.

Day Three, Munday 20th August

Today it was off for a drive to see Pegasus Bridge, Me and Dot have been many times before but Ralph and Amber have not. We parked up near the museum and wandered over to the bridge, we had a good look around the place then moved on.

Pegasus Bridge Replacement (1994) Les 3 Planeurs

The next place we stopped was, Luc-sur-Mer were we had a walk along the beach and along the pier. We then moved on to Saint Aubin sur Mer, were we had another walk.

On the pier Plage de Saint Aubin sur Mer

From there we drove back towards Port Guillaume but stopped at a little bar Le Gallia, just next to the railway line. We all had a beer (Amber had a cola) in there and watched the trains go by.

The Train

From there we drove back to the apartment and I did us all food, before watching another film that night.

Day Four, Tuesday 21st August

Today we had a walk into Houlgate, the lock gates were closed, so it was shorter for us to walk. We walked along the side of the railway next to the river, so we were also walking by the river all the way into Houlgate. As we were walking along, a train came by and it was very close.

Train

In Houlgate wa had a good walk around and then settled outside a bar restaurant, the waiter came out and said the seats were for people eating only. We moved on and I am sure this happened once before at the same place a few years back.

Houlgate Front

Eventually we got a drink in a tabak before we set off back to our place. We did pop into the train station and thought about getting the train back but decided against it. We wandered back to Port Guillaume were the others all had an ice cream, I waited and had a beer in the next pub we came to. La Voile Rouge was the place we popped into on the first day and that is were I got my beer.

From there we walked back around to our place via the river, the way we had been on the second day. Back at the apartment the lock gates were opening again.

Lock Gates Opening

Then it was the same as the last few days, drank on the balcony before a film at night.

Day Five, Wednesday 22nd August

Up early and watched the boat crane lift a boat off the back of a wagon and place it on stands in the yard. Anyway today we drove to Bayeux for the day out. We parked up on the ring road and walked into the town center.

When we got to the cathedral the land train was just about to set off, so we jumped on for the tour. Only trouble was a group of Italians got on (quite a lot of them actually) and made a noise all the way round. I do not know why they even got on, because they never once looked out at anything we were passing and they even started singing.

Tractor Train ride around Bayeux

After the trip we went to look for dinner and wandered into the Tapestry Garden, an open air cafe/restaurant. The Bayeux Tapestry entrance was just outside so after some food and a drink, that is were we went next.

There is no photography allowed of the Tapestry so I have no photos of our visit. It is the second time Me and Dot have been but it was new for the other two and it is fairly well done how they do it. The only thing I didn't remember is that the tapestry isn't just about the Battle of Hastings, its the story of William and of how he became king of England. The Battle of Hastings is just the last few feet of the tapestry the rest is all the build up.

From there we had a wander round the shops and had a good look around Bayeux before setting off back to Cabourg. Once back we did the same as usual, we had a drink at the little bar Le Gallia, before going back to the apartment for food and a film. By the way Bayeur is one of my favorite places.

Day Six, Thursday 23rd August

Today was another day out and we headed north along the coast to Honfleur, we parked up near the old lighthouse and walked in to the center. Although we did stop just outside the town to get a photo of another lighthouse.

Lighthouse Old Lighthouse

In Honfleur we had a good walk about, passed all the restaurants serving food outside and around the many shops, We even found a shop selling great sandwiches so got our lunch in there, I say sandwiches but they were big baguettes as usual in France.

,
Hotel De Ville La lieutenance d'Honfleur

As we got ready to leave it started to rain, it wasn't bad but it was damp. So we just headed back to the room. We did end up in the little bar Le Gallia first, but had to sit inside as the outside it was all wet.

Day Seven, Friday 24th August

I thought we would just have a day locally but the others wanted to go for a drive, so we set off for Utah Beach, more of the D Day landing beaches. It was quite a long drive but didn't take too long on the motorways.

WW2 Beach Utah Beach Landing Museum

After a walk around the beach and a look at the relics, we moved on to drive back towards our apartment. We did go via some of the other D Day beaches, Omaha Beach and Pointe du Hoc.

The Cliffs Another Gun Emplacement

Back in Cabourg we had our final drinks and supper we had to be up early tomorrow to go home.

Night Time View

Day Eight, Saturday 25th August

We got up early, tidied up and phoned to french lady to say we were ready to go, only she could not get there for an hour, in the end she told us to go and leave the keys in the apartment.

The drive back was pretty uneventful, when we got to the tunnel we were told we were early and we could pay to go now or park up and wait. We parked up but as we got out to go in the terminal we were told to get the next train. So we could have paid extra to go on this train but in the end didn't have to.

Wednesday 25 July 2018

France, Back to Les Alicourts Resort, 2018

This year Me, Dot, Ralph and Amber are off, back to France and the same place as last year, Les Alicourts Resort. We were going in May, setting off on the evening of the 24th and returning on the 3rd of June. The driving was to be as last year, my car with me driving in England and Ralph driving in France. Also as last year we are going through the tunnel, it all cost a little bit more than last year but we are staying longer.

Wed 23rd May to Sun 3rd of June

Day One, Wednesday 23rd May


The tunnel booking wasn't until 05.50 the next day but as we had to pick up Ralph and then Amber along the way we set off at 21.00. We were early picking Ralph up but after diversions on the A1 (these were really appalling), we just got to amber on time. The rest of the trip down was fine, although there were plenty of other road closed for maintenance.

Day Two, Thursday 24th May

We arrived nice and early for the ferry but didn't get put on an earlier train as ours was the first one after a long delay. Anyway our drive through France was fine and we arrived at the site in the Loire at about 13.30 well early but were informed that the van would be ready in about half an hour. That was ok, we just wandered over to the bar but shock, it wasn't open, luckily we got a call to inform us that our room was ready and we just wandered back.

The van was ready quickly because in my opinion, they just opened the door looked in and said it was ready. It looked like no cleaning had been done at all since last year and the balcony and sun parasol was covered in bird shit. Did we moan, no we hardly ever do, we just got it back to how it should be and when we went we did the same.

Once all sorted, we made our way back over to the pool and bar (witch was now open), it was still very early but we were on holiday and had come a long way, so we had a few beers. They were still expensive but nowhere near what they used to cost. We could get a glass of Afflingem, a glass of Edelweiss, a glass of Heineken and a Cola (which cost the same as the beers), for about 13€.

By the bar again

Back at the van I cooked and in the end we had a nice early night, we were knackered.

Day Three, Friday 25th May

Today was a rest day, well after me and Ralph went off in the car to get the shopping we needed for the week, including lots of beer. So after that is was nothing, Amber spent most of the time on her phone and eventually we went over to the bar for a few beers. Over there Dot and Amber went into the pool but that didn't last long.

Later back at the van we had a BBQ, and some of the many beers we had bought. Later we watched a film, using the internet access we got from reception. It was a nice quiet relaxing day.

Tea Time

Day Four, Saturday 26th May

As the weather was great again, today was a copy of yesterday, we did absolutely nothing, except for our visit to the bar.

Day Five, Sunday 27th May

Another day as yesterday, a nice quite weekend.

Day Six, Monday 28th May

Today we went for a drive, I wanted to visit some bridges (well take photos of some bridges) around the area and we needed to do something besides sit in the sun and drink.

We headed east towards the river Loire, we had been to the Loire to the west many time before and last year we headed north to the Loire in Orleans, so east it was.

The first place we got to was Gien, it was about 26 miles to get there and we parked up just off the river but on the other side. On the river we cold see three bridges, I took photos and then we had a walk along past the road bridge towards the rail bridge.

Pont de Gien 1743

It was quite a nice walk along the river and a quick look in the shops but didn't stay long. The road we were going to tack to our next stop was closed so we crossed back over the river and headed south. What I wanted to see was, were the the canal de Briare crossed over the river Loire, along The Briare Aqueduct.

Gien Railroad Viaduct 1893

We arrived, drove under the canal and parked on the other side, Me and Amber walked up the steps to the canal, Ralph and Dot walked back through the tunnel and up the other side. This time Ralph and Dot got it right, the aqueduct on the side Me and Amber went up was closed for maintenance. So we had to come back down and follow the others.

Amber and Ralph Along The Briare Aqueduct

After a walk on the bridge and seeing as it was 662 meters long, Ralph and Amber walked back to the car to drive around to the other side and Me and Dot walked over the aqueduct to meet them. The photos do not show the length of the aqueduct or the temperature to be honest but it was long and it was hot.

The Briare Aqueduct

On the other side of the Loire there was a marina with boats parked up and another waterway under the canal alongside the river.

From the Pont-canal de Briare MIC YVO

We met up with the others on this side and headed of back the way they came, to see a bridge they had found on the way round to meet us.

1951 Châtillon-sur-Loire

After that we drove north to Sully-sur-Loire, where Me and Dot had a walk around the outside of the Chateau and a small walk in the town. After that, we just drove back towards the site.

Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Two

Once back at the site we wandered over to the bar for a couple before going back to the van for tea.

Day Seven, Tuesday 29th May

Another day out for a drive, only today we set of south towards Vierzon. We parked up by the River L'Yevre at the end of the Canal de Berry in the blazing sun and went for a walk. We walked along to an island in the middle of the River L'Yevre and then to the other side.

Rue Voltaire Vierzon

From there we wandered along that side and back over a bridge further down the river. From the bridge we could see a weir across the river but walked back towards the car.

Road Bridge

Back at the car we decided to drive passed the weir where I popped out to take some photos.

Dam

As we drove away from there we spotted another river (I should look at the map properly), so pulled over to check it out. The river Le Cher, had a couple of bridges in the town but the trees around there made it impossible to get descent photos.

Rue des Ponts Bridge over the Cher

On the drive back we passed a McDonald's and gave in to Ambers continuing pleading to pop into one. We ordered using the aromatic system (well Amber did) and sat down. As we got our food it started to rain quite hard but we were inside out of the way anyway. After the food we popped into a large supermarket until the rain stopped. On the way back we also popped into the supermarket closer to the campsite, just to top up.

Day Eight, Wednesday 30th May

Well today we did nothing we had finished the trips out in the car. We did go to the pool and I even went down the slide with Amber. The rest of the day was spent in the bar and making BBQ for tea.

By the pool

Day Nine, Thursday 31st May

You know how I said we had finished the trips out in the car, well we hadn't. It was slightly overcast so we went out. We drove all the way over to where we had stayed quit a few time before in Onzain. Dot and Ralph had seen something about hiring a van there and wanted a look.

When we got there we parked up by the river at Chaumont-sur-Loire and had our picnic. There was some filming going on there and there were three or four helicopters flying around. I forgot my camera so we do not have any decent photos.

We had a check around the campsite at Onzain, Domaine de Dugny and then drove off to another site, Yelloh village Camping Parc.

After that we made for Amboise and did what we usually do there, walk around the shops and have a sandwich (bought from a local shop), sat by the river. One thing was we had to do, was get a photo of young Ralph sat in the same place we had years ago.

Ralph and Amber

Only I like the one with Amber better.

Day Ten, Friday 1st June

This time the driving about in the car was really over and we just had a nice quiet day onsite and by the pool or in the bar. With a BBQ for tea, by now we were trying to use up all of the food we had left before we had to go.

Me Dot

Day Eleven, Saturday 2nd June

Spent the day getting ready to go home tomorrow and spent the rest of the time over the bar.

Day Twelve, Sunday 3rd June

Ralph decided to take a different way back to the tunnel, most of it was all right but one of the shortcuts took us down single track roads and quite a few holdups. We did however arrive at the tunnel with plenty of time to spare. In fact our train was at 19.20 but we got on one at about 16.00, so we arrived in England really early.